The 2023 Volkswagen GTI Is A 40-Year Old Homage To Hot Hatches
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- čas přidán 11. 04. 2023
- For 40 years, the #VolkswagenGTI has long been the benchmark #HotHatch in the sport compact segment. Last year, #Volkswagen introduced a fully redesigned #Mk8GTI and while enthusiast praised the chassis and powertrain, the latest infotainment system seemed to be a step backwards. For 2023, the tech is still the same, but the current #GTI is still a lot of car for the money if you need something to do it all.
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I owned the first US "Golf" GTI model in 1985. It remains my favorite car ever. The stiff clutch did wear out a few pairs of shoes though.
Mk8 engine covers were getting loose and catch fire. That's why they are shipped without covers.
Wow lmfao that's crazy
Cheap Mexican junk
There’s a recall for that
@@kevs2good133 yup. They removed the covers and there is no replacement. Lol
#qualityPartz
Bought a Moonstone Gray '22 Autobahn manual a yr ago. Have had several GTI's since the Pennsylvania built '84 and this one obviously has the most refined driving dynamics of all. Love the looks yet wife says too much attention from "skater boy generation" for an old guy like me, but easier for the old lady to egress than the G-body 911 it replaced. Inexpensive way to reminisce with modern looks, safety and technology upgrades, some good, some not so good. That wheel chirp you had can be alleviated with more time with this clutch under toe. My car is so much fun our 26yr old son was compelled to purchase a '23 SE version. Wish I had the plaid seats!! Great review as always!!
You like the plaid eh? I don’t hate it either
What do you mean with "too much attention from skater boy generation"? I see people from all generations driving GTIs, and I feel like it's more of a sleeper car. People don't really turn their heads when I drive by. The only people who do are other GTI drivers haha.
@@thewirah1 So true, we are part of a common group of enthusiasts. The comment is just another excuse for my wife to give me crap, that's all....
I'm glad that you mentioned what type of fuel grade it takes. I hope you'll always mention it in all your videos.
Volkswagen states it. There is no mystery here.
It’s a car review…. It wouldn’t matter if vw state it… reviewing a car means reviewing what gas type it takes. Although he’s definitely wanna of the few that does
@@jaioncebollero1168 wanna of the few? Huh?
just picked up a 40th Anniv in 6 speed. It's so much fun to just drive around! Def going to keep it a long time.
Had the 5, 6 and 7 MKs. All excellent, never an issue with any of them. Just recently upgraded to the 8SE DSG. Significant improvement all around. Handles better than the 7 and feels faster and more buttoned down. It out Audi Audis in interior feel and look and the Harmon Kardon is borderline audiophile and a better listening experience than the replaced Fender system. Feels bigger, more refined, almost BMW like in the good sense. And for once I didn’t have to replace the tires upon delivery as the Good Year a/s Sport Plus work well with the designed handling. As for the infotainment system, I’m an old guy and it is a non-issue, at least on the 2024 model. Hate to sound like a commercial but this is a seriously good upgrade from prior generations and a one of a kind iconic design that is still out there and holds value. It has evolved and matured and that’s a good thing for some of us.
Glad you're loving the MK8 thinking about going back to GTI, had a 2001 Vr6, 2011 3door, 2015 autobahn and 2016 autobahn now driving (not in winter) 2018 bmw m240i xdrive covert. fantastic piece of machinery but not the most practical..
How many years and miles did you keep your previous gen GTIs? I'm considering one as my 2011 Mazdaspeed 3 is starting to get a little long in the tooth, but it's been damn reliable even at 145,000 miles.
I switch them out every 3 or 4 years or so @ low mileage (under 30,000 miles). Trade ins are usually favorable if you keep the car mint. No significant issues ever with any of them. But have to note that the low mileage as a possible factor (?). Fun car for sure. @@duey1083
I enjoy your reviews Sofyan as well as my 2016 GTI. For fun, it is hard to beat a small, light car.
I'm glad I'm not the only one whose brain sees "Soyfan" instead of "Sofyan." I once called him Soyboi, thinking I was being lighthearted. It was only years later that I realized I was reading it wrong. I hope there was no hard feelings.
It's not that light 😂
Engine cover was a recall because it didn't stay secured properly. Mine didn't come with one from the factory either as it was after the recall.
I have a 2017 mk 7 coming up on 78k miles. I’ve had the unitronic stage 1tune since day one with zero problems. The plan is to move up to an R this summer.
I have had my MK8 GTI for a year and I don’t think I’ve had one month where everything worked without issue. It is a fabulous driving car but I can’t wait to get rid of it.
Aw that’s a shame. All my life I’ve wanted a GTI but its poor reliability is a deal breaker.
Had the same issues on my mk5 bro, it's a shame such amazing cars lack reliability. Toyota FTW bro
@@jp93309 mk7.5 is super realiable. The mk8 is meh so far
@@fjabuildings MK5's were a long time ago.
The MK7 GTI's are quite reliable.
Yeah, not Toyota reliable - but Toyota doesn't make a car comparable to the GTI.
Well, that new Corola hatch - but not really.
Are you abusing it or not following the maintenance schedule?
I just bought the 40th anniversary edition w/6 speed manual in Urano Gray. I love this car. It is the closest thing I know of that could give me the experience I had with my 1977 BMW 320i. It is that driving experience plus much more. I know it isn’t going to be the bulletproof car that the 2021 Corolla hatchback 6 speed is. I traded it for this GTI but the driving experience (ride, handling, good fuel economy and the power) is so fabulous that I feel the GTI is worth difference.
I loved the MK7.5 when I had one. The direction VW took with the infotainment system and all of these touch controls is a dealbreaker. Anything between me and the car doing what I want is a potential point of failure - might as well reduce it to a physical button.
Same here!
The infotainment system was so aggravating to operate during my test drive. I couldn’t believe how bad they made it!
Facts! absolutely correct
Same!
I really thought about getting a Mk8. I still have my Mk7.5 Autobahn. I would still get a Mk8, but at this point the Mk7.5 is wonderful and with only 45k miles I don't feel the need to be in a hurry to replace a car that feels perfect for me.
@@tetchuma
It’s actually super intuitive & easy with lots of short cuts.
Just picked up autobahn model at Humberview December 27th. No issues whatsoever with infotainment systems. I was there to buy a 2024 model, this car was sitting in their showroom dealer offered me the same price as the base model. I guess they wanted to close the book on 2023 inventory before the year end. Most of the reported issues on the infotainment has been resolved on late 2023 models, the ones arrived right after 2024 model year started in September. Mine also red. Beautiful machine. My boys bought 2023 Mazda 3 GT Turbo but the driving dynamics totally different on GTI although Mazda interior outshines. Mazda rough on uneven road but GTI silky smooth. It’s simply hug the roads when turning sharp corners. I feel it’s better than BMW.
I think you been tricked by the boost gauge, if you think it's pushing 26PSI. I have a Cupra 300 (Golf R engine car in europe) and my boost gauge is showing 30.3 PSI at peak. I was really stunned, but then i dived into it a little and read around. The gauge shows atmospheric pressure + boost pressure together. So in reality its 26 PSI - 1BAR = 12PSI. At 26PSI this engine would push close to 450HP.
Thank you, so many people don't know that. 14 PSI at sea level.
Im extremely confused, I am looking at the sources for the boost and publications are all running with this 26.1 PSI number. And upon further reading, they are talkiong about absolute boost pressure. I need some other sources on this. Especially since publications are stating the golf R makes only 21 psi and that one makes way more power. (Its not compression ratio, the R is 9:3 while the GTI is 9:6)
@@android175 ...well than put it this way, every car runs at 1BAR boost :))))
@@vinckokeccee1352 Im aware of atmospheric pressure. So just to confirm, absolute boost pressure includes atmospheric pressure?
First, they do need an upgraded dogbone (rear) motor mount to help with wheel hop which does add vibes, but some options don't add much and is well worth it if you want to launch it. The best thing about the MK8, is the power that its rated for is *at the wheels on Regular gas* (dyno proven)! That is impressive, plus you get more power running Premium and the tunes that finally came out over the last couple of months are insane, like 100hp gains! (and yes, they cracked the TCU enough to at least allow higher torque and clamping power). Plus a lot of MK7/7.5 performance parts fit it, so tons of budget friendly upgrade parts available, so that makes it worth considering alone if you are enthusiast... as for the touch interface, it does have haptic feedback, so it may work well enough once you try it, I hear its responsive, the number of people who call it a "dealbreaker" who haven't tried it is hilarious. If you are an enthusiast you can get used to it if it's responsive and works well! Honestly, I had an S trim with real volume knob at least on order but I cancel and went with the Mazda 3 AWD turbo hatch for AWD, better stereo, sunroof, real buttons and others features for the same price, but no doubt about it, the GTI is the better driver car for sure!
and the option to change the computers main cpu from a 12th gen Celeron to an 11th gen I7 for faster performance with the infotainment systems speed and responsiveness simple
Buy the GTI/R while you still can, because this is the last generation before it goes completely electric.
Yes. There is also a facelift model confirmed and it will be revealed some time later this year for the 2024 model.
the mild reminders that this is not an SUV are so annoying. The GTI driver knows what they want
fr this car is totally fine for two kids even
Yeah I found that annoying too
@@janoycresnova9156 I was just online on a BMW subreddit and today this guy shares he’s getting a new M440i and X5 M60i. He said wife and him are treating themselves; cool congrats on the cars. Someone asked does he have kids and he says “first kid due in 9 months, that’s why we got the x5.” How overkill is that
@@rahatchoudhury175 your kids are statistically safe in a large BMW X5 than a tiny hatch like this car. imagine someone rear ending you at speed, why take a risk? get the bigger SUV
@@Spartansrule118 I guess but imagine if masses drove hatches that have perfect visibility instead of a 5,000 lb SUV. That’s much safer. But anyway cars are only getting bigger and heavier overall. That’s the real concern. Hope crash tests keep evolving
Loved the video have a '23 S DSG and I love it!
VW US should offer a GTI Autobahn with plaid seats as an option! That would've been my personal pick.
Yep.
Omg he cracked me when he said it would be gross 🤮 if kids left food in the back. That was funny as hell
The car your driving looks fabulous. I love the tartan cloth.
I appreciate how much the reviewer enjoys his work and makes the effort to be on top of his subject matter.
Glad that VW always keep the Golf a small Hot Hatch and also making look like an actual Hatchback design vs. the Civic & Mazda 3
Mazda and audi have the low level design school graduates in the design compartment. For people that don’t like change that’s good. You can’t distinguish them year to year though from basically 2006+
@@deaf2819that makes no sense. So you’re basically saying that the current Mazdas look the same as a 2006. Yeah ok, and yet the last 2 generation of the golf look more like refreshed than a full redesign
One of the few cars that is *actually* compact still.
(laughs in ND Miata)
Watching this video makes me miss my 2012 gti
'totally love my 2015 GTI SE.... won't even bother looking at a new GTI until they lose the touch sensitive controls.
Watching this in my MK8. Don’t let the infotainment discourage you, has a learning curve to it but not a bad system at all.
It's very bad.
Using a phone and driving is worse.
I have this car, it’s amazing. The infotainment center is not great but it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.
I have the very same one very same color very same terrier. I had it tuned cost me 600 bucks. And I love this car I've had porsches. This car is fantastic.
Enjoying my 21 7.5 CFB
I live in a metro area and spotting a mrk 8 is a bit like spotting a unicorn. Would be interesting to see the sales figures given all the criticism on the haptic controls and infotainment interface. Anecdotally appears to have had an impact on sales…along with the supply chain disruptions.
If you use the interface for 5 min it’s no issue at all, way over blow
Golf is very popular on the west coast we see a lot over here. From what was told to me, it's not as popular in the east.
@@kimi17147 Although the interface itself is fine in theory from a software standpoint with how it looks, it's still eh IMO due to how slow it can be. Especially that the climate control and sliding audio volume, which are haptic so you have to find them with your eyes off the road, are NOT illuminated at night so good luck quick adjusting your car's temperature or simply the audio on the radio at night without either neglecting the road or pulling over. And I've seen numerous reviewers complain when they're doing more spirited driving that the haptic buttons on the steering wheel sometimes accidentally trigger because its a simple "finger there or not" system rather than having to intentionally push the button if your hand happens to be touching it. I think this one review section in particular summarizes it quite well.
czcams.com/video/XGbPHp6QfkQ/video.html
@@Danter5435 the video you mentioned is from a very early US spec car and there has been numerous updates since then. I use my steering wheel to adjust things and if I am needing to adjust the volume there haptic area is second nature just like a value knob. I know where it’s at without even looking at it and there is little ridges that you can feel, you can also use the voice control to do all of those things. The things not being backlit to me and annoying just because of the ascetic purposes and not functional
@@kimi17147 We can used to pulling out a crank to start our engine every day. But who would want to do that, you?
On the other hand, people can get used to anything. But discussion is not about human adaptation. Its about practicality and usability from the start.
I always loved the GTI
this is the purest comment on this thread. truth!
No engine cover on the new GTIs? Were they affected by the recall/fire risk issue or is that just more cost cutting or parts shortage?
VW uses cheaper and cheaper materials every year.
It's most certainly due to the fire risk.
@@rachegreenrg Si senor
There's usually a foam engine cover on the MK8's.
I don't know what happened to the test car's cover.
@@dave_riots nah. cost cutting. Lots of manufacturers are doing this. VW has been going downhill for a while in terms of materials; they used to be near luxury - and now you see things like full hard plastic door cards in the back (different from the front).
I have the final edition MK7.5 GTI SE in Cornflower Blue (could they have named it a more nerdy color??). And I LOVE it. Mine has extensive suspension updates and a significant bump in power and responsiveness with an ECU & TCU tune. Still with knobs and buttons and careful attention to detail (engine cover, hood strut, leather seats). All making it an amazingly fun car to drive. My wife’s ‘22 Tiguan R-Line Black with Haptic Touch wheel and controls has not been trouble free. It’s also noticeable a step down in quality compared to my MK7.5 GTI. The MK8 is not appealing to me in any way.
The seats are a ‘Leather Delete option’ (at least that’s how they do it in Canada 🇨🇦)
There was a TSB/Recall on the mk8 engine covers because of a potential fire danger I believe.
I love that in the US the Golf is generally called a compact 1 person drivers car whereas in UK, it *used to be considered a good sized family car!
I'm in the US and looking to get either a mk7.5 or a mk8. But it is only my wife and I, maybe a couple backseat passengers every couple months.
@@TheCarGuru Thanks for the advice, it's definitely comforting when someone who's approaching 100k says how reliable their car is!
At the moment it's definitely what I'm leaning towards in terms of the interior especially! But there is a renewed mk8 with an updated interior coming out next year so I'm torn whether to wait a little longer (And save up a larger down payment) for a new updated mk8 or get a low mileage mk7.5 a little sooner.
From what I've heard about the driving ability, the mk8 seems to be the more enjoyable car from a lot of reviews I've seen, plus with the updated physical buttons, infotainment and software it looks like they've worked out the kinks of the beta 2019-2023 mk8
that service engine light is on brand. matches my MK5 🤣
I thought they had to remove the engine cover because there was a recall that it could fall off or melt... I don't remember which one.
This reviewer should have known that as he reviewed the R as well. Some of the things he states are amusing.
I spoke to VW in toronto, there is a 1 yr waiting period and 2 yrs on an R. Wow..
That are saving you and your money from this poor quality junk)
@@rachegreenrg lol perhaps hahaha.
In Ottawa dealers are getting 40th anniversary editions and performance editions monthly. Some are not spoken for yet.
40k for a car with no leather/no power seats and a CEL at 3100 miles. Just SMH.
😂 yeah I know right 40K for a car that doesn't have shit.
“The engine starts right up” got that box checked. Oy.
Unlike to offer Rev Match since, the addition of a manual was a hard sell. The manual has pretty much gone like the dodo, held over only for a hand full of enthusiast.
I owed a GLI (VW GTI with a trunk) in the past and "put a smile on your face" is exactly the way I used to describe it.
Engine light on: It’s a Volkswagen 😂
Yup
Let's not be to harsh to this car, it's an ultimate gti top trim, perfect trim between the regular and the top trim golf r
That is traction control light deactivated not engine control light
VW make the mosy of the cars so ...hate them how much you want but: Audi,Buggati, Bentley, Ducati ,Skoda,Seat and more others use VW technology and parts
Are you talking about when the vehicle is on but the engine is stopped?
So it behaves the same way as... every new car since 1996?
Got it.
I’ve owned 2 Gti’s , the Mk3 and Mk4 VR6. Both great cars however I’m not too crazy what they have done with the front headlights of this new Gti.
Good thing the brakes didn’t catch fire, otherwise they’d remove those too! I owned two GTIs in the past. Loved them both. But the dealers play games with these and ruin the experience.
Seems that all these damn dealers are playing games. I want to get this car but I feel that I will ultimately not get one because of the dealer games
Have the 40th on order. For just a few grand more than the S model you get so much more and adaptive suspension.
just picked up a white 40th! It's so fun and rides great
I do a lot of outdoor things and Im concerned that those buttons wouldn’t work well with sweaty fingers. Like after a sweaty run in the Texas sumner.
Buy one as ICE golf’s/GTI will be history next year.
It won't. The all electric GTIs will only come in 2030. There is a facelifted model coming next year and it will still have a gasoline engine.
Highly doubt it will be as soon as next year.
What would the chip shortage have to do with leather seats?
The leather are full electric with memory settings.
Eh? A Top Speed of 127mph? In UK / Europe it is 155mph. Is USA fitting limiters now?
Love the review per usual. Quick question, do you lose any performance using regular gas or are the numbers rated with regular gas?
The engine horsepower you see is rated on regular fuel
@@markros12yea technically there is no reason to use premium
However, I do worry about the carbon buildup using regular gas though...
@@WitchYuki22 I would worry, too about carbon buildup using regular gas if I also had less than zero idea of how GDI engines, octane, and carbon buildup work.
Hint: all grades of fuel come with the same level of detergent. You're paying for the fuel to be more resistive to preignition to run at higher compression ratios.
@@WitchYuki22 An engineer on CZcams has a video on gas and engines. According to him, using regular gas is just fine. The important thing is to choose a premium gas (I chose Shell) and then try to stick with it. So, most of the time I can find a Shell station when I need gas. Sometimes I can’t. So, of course, I do what I can. But 98% of the time I use Shell.
I read there was a recall or issues with the engine cover so they just removed it entirely. Maybe it will come back in 2024 or be offered at dealers for free, but I doubt it would be free under the circumstances.
Seems pretty sad that a plastic shroud on a vehicle of this stature is missing. Regardless of its functionality or whether it’s been recalled to just not have one at all seems like a lazy cheap move on VWs part.
Is there autorev matching like the z or si?
That screen and buttons on the wheels are a deal breaker. The things you use the most
exactly….that alone makes this a no go for me.
Electronic parking brakes are NOT part of the GTI formula!
Neither are hard plastic interiors for a $36k+ car!
Neither is the absence of a volume knob!
I say this as a current Mk7.5 Autobahn owner, and former Mk7 Autobahn owner
most cars under 50k have hard plastics on the lower half of the interior. though they could have made the rear doors soft touch on top like the front. the s trim has the volume and tuning knob and sells for 31k. that's the best value. Handbrake I agree should remain on sporty cars.
@@basslover352 Mk7 rear door cards were hard plastic all the way to the top as well. So it's a Golf tradition at this point lol.
@@nobleman-swerve pretty much what's expected in the class now. civic and Corolla are the same way.
the hate for the lack of physical buttons isnt so much because it’s hard to figure out, its just the concern of repair costs if it goes out. Why add MORE complication to modern vehicles if it really only benefits the oem/dealer come repair time? Some of us like to keep our vehicles a long time.
A lot of these compact crossover should have been hatches---looking at you Kia Niro and Buick Encore.
Try leaving traction control on
Wow, VW stopped paying attention to details. The overspray, the hood prop, some of the materials. Still, it's better equipped that the GLI, which doesn't even have rear vents and only one map pocket in the back. I hate cost cutting...
VW went Performance > Refined Materials. it shows for sure on both ends.
Lol complaining about map pockets in 2023. Leave your snacks at home.
Yes, cause everyone just stares at their open hood all day long since it's a VW 😅
What about reliability issues. I had a 2013 turbo beetle that I really liked however in one year had several issues. I traded it in 14 for a Civic Si sedan which I still have with zero issues .
they're always marked up by 3-4k around me, wish i could've bought one.
You don't have to buy it, do you?
@@krane15 would've been nice to take to med school, bought a wrx instead
I'm surprised they're still marked up around you. I got mine a year ago for $1150 under MSRP
Can't wait for mk8.5
Agreed. Buttons coming back and hopefully some of the cost cutting is fixed.....I would love if the tweak the front lights as well....get rid of the eyelashes
@@KC-lg8qf watch it will be worse lol
Exterior and mechanicals are fine. The interior is a cheap, hot mess. The 7.5 gen interior wasn't state of the art, but much more ergonomically usable for the driver.
As a former 7.5 owner, I really love my 8’s interior. I think it’s beautiful & feels very airy.
As a long time driver of performance FWD cars, I never launch my car from a stand still. Ever. There’s no point, it doesn’t have that capability, and I’m not racing anybody from a stop light. These are handling/momentum cars. They are great fun from 5mph and up. 0 mph- you treat them like a normal car.
I owned a Golf TDI Mk6 years ago and, although I loved the 45 MPG it got, it became quite unreliable at about 3 old. I sold it at 4 yrs old just before VW's deiselgate scandal. I dodged a bullet there! Aside from being buggy vehicles, VWs are too damn expensive for what they are.
@@rmnffx Consider yourself lucky.
Can you do a review on the new 2024 hyundai sonata n line
Can you please review the 23 AMG C43?
The gti is nice but the focus rs and veloster n are the best
What boggles me is that while this makes 26.1 PSI, it makes less power than the Golf R, which only needs 21 PSI. Goes to show PSI alone doesnt make more power.
So it doesn't let you customize drive mode settings when moving ? What is this 1980s ? Hyundai Ns doesn't have that limitation. And CEL at 3k miles ? This has to be the worst deal at 37k
That's the traction control light, not a CEL. Pops on whenever you put stability into sport mode.
Two things ... bring back real buttons and cut back with the piano black finish.
That’s a lot of money for less than 300hp especially at over 3000lbs. Wild!
Are there any sporty options out there for less than 30k?
How is that wild? You get an extremely well equipped car for like $32k for the s trim. Why the hell would it be under 3000lbs? It's not 1990 anymore lmao.
The front reminds me of GV60.
I miss 2 door compact cars.
This has a heated steering wheel, doubtful in the Integra.
I'm just wondering whether I should get a little bit bigger. Tires on the car boogies period
It's a VW, the check engine light is suppose to remain on at all times...
The Golf R is only 5K more than the Autobahn.
Only if you compare it to a fully equipped GTI. In t hat case, just buy the R.
@@krane15 the Autobahn is a fully equipped GTI. Finding a Golf R for MSRP is another story. The 40th Anniversary is perfect except it doesn’t have proximity keyless entry which is a bummer, but they are selling for sticker.
…can it burn E85?
So summing up this entire video VW when cheap is charging you more for less isn't listening to their base producing a vehicle with features that nobody wants over-complicated simplified ergonomics
2 finger tap the climate control slider to turn on the heated seat.
I've been diggin' VW lately, that's why I bought a 2021 Tiguan .. I know it's a Tiguan ...
Does anyone want the engine cover?
Can you buy one to fit?
So it doesn’t do the 155mph anymore?
I thought the top speed is 155 mph
are you going to review 2024 bmw x5?
For a man that likes to berate certain car's for the lack of modern technology, I was very surprised to hear you complain about the capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel. What's the old saying? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones 😅
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn 2.0L Turbo 6-Speed Manual 40th Anniversary Edition Hatchback!
Shame we don’t get the wagon..
I don't know why the engine light came on!
Few minutes later 👇
21:12
22:12
23:44
24:15
24:45
26:28
hate those touch sensitive buttons
the engine covers were recalled due to their potential to catch on fire
The fact that the check engine light is already on before the first oil change is a HUGE deal breaker for me. Pass
That's the traction control light that pops whenever you put ESC into sport mode.
Saw one at the dealer , it was markup to 60K, no thanks.
Good Car
Close your eyes and listen to this guy. Is this Steve Buscemi?
spontaneous check engine light lmao very VW
My god, was that car washed with a brillo pad? There's so many swirls.
Can u use regular in the 7.5
You can
Yes and you can in the 8